The debate was the initiative of Greens candidate Lindsay Langlands and was attended by independent and president of the Australian Business Party, Joseph Adams, Liberal candidate Dai Le, Labor candidate and Fairfield Mayor Nick Lalich and independent Alasdair McDonald, who is also a member of the Communist League.

Fred Nile Group (Christian Democrat) candidate Doug Morrison was unable to attend.

It was chaired by three local journalists, and residents posed questions about the candidates' experience and contributions to the community.

Each candidate said they would quit their current job and, in the case of Mr McDonald and Ms Le, move to the area if elected.

Mr Lalich said he could juggle both positions ``I am the only mayor I know of to take on the position of full-time mayor,'' he said.

``Others work their day jobs and come into chambers to sign papers in the evening while I often attend the same events as local state MPs.''

While taking questions from journalists, Mr Adams got the most laughs of the night for his response on infrastructure.

``Infrastructure is my favourite topic, because you all know what I'm going to talk about: footpaths,'' Mr Adams said.

He quoted former prime minister Gough Whitlam to criticise lack of action from Labor governments on the issue, saying: ``It's time... for every road to have a footpath.''

A member of the audience praised the work of former Cabramatta MP John Newman in tackling crime, while another asked what would be done to save water.

Ms Le said she would look further into recycling water and Mr Lalich said residents should be further encouraged to install rainwater tanks.

Mr McDonald said big business should bear the burden instead of the workers, while Ms Langlands said the Greens had an expansive range of policies relating to the environment.

Mr Adams said government buildings should have rainwater tanks and young people should be educated about sustainability.